ZAO ONSEN WITH KIDS

Zao Onsen is well known in Winter for the most incredibile “crystal palace” looking ski fields (it’s like a dream!) But I’m here to also open your eyes to the joys of visiting Zao Onsen in the warmer months.
Don’t forget that Zao Onsen can also be stunning in Autumn.

How to get to Zao Onsen
Take a shinkansen to Yamagata from Tokyo (2.5 hours) and then 40 mins by bus.
Should you decide to drive from Tokyo, the trip takes 4-5 hours depending on the traffic.

Fun family-friendly activities at Zao Onsen
These are right outside the door of our Zao Onsen accommodation here.

I imagine that this whole area looks vastly different in summer.

The Zao Super Slider toboganning slide goes all the way down the slope (well, it would be a ski slope if it was covered in snow, at least.) My kids LOVED this so much.

Tickets for the Lift & Slide at Zao Onsen

The seats don’t have a belt on them but they are tilted back and, although it looks high – there is only 1 metre-ish between the seat and the ground.

The chairlift up to the superslider at Zao Onsen.

There is the cutest little paintball shooting range for kids at the bottom of the superslider too. Make sure you carry cash in order to take part in all of these activities.

The cutest little paintball set up at the bottom of the super slider at Zao Onsen.

My kids loved this paint ball shooting range activity. My son used all of his “round” in about 3 seconds haha

TAKING THE ROPEWAY AND ENJOYING A BEAUTIFUL LUNCH
We had the best “mini-excursion” heading to Sangoro for lunch – which involves taking the ropeway and then a chairlift – which all of us LOVED!

First step was taking the ropeway up the mountain from the centre of town in Zao Onsen.
If you are driving, there is a big carpark at the ropeway station. If like us, you are taking the ropeway to go for lunch at Sangoro – ask about a “set ticket” for the ropeway + lunch. (It makes lunch much cheaper this way.)

Just across the road from the ropeway stop is a Lawson convenience store (open 24 hours.)

Lawson, convenience store, at Zao Onsen.

Like many sightseeing spots in Japan, there is a stamp station for just before you get on the ropeway. My kids love these.

Then, once you are at the very top- you can take in the views and kids can have a stretch and a play. You can also take in the view. There is also a little cafe up here called Soramado 1387 (literally translates to “the Sky’s Window.”) This is a simple coffee shops with a few desserts and sandwiches. They are open 8:30am-4pm.

Soramado 1387 Cafe at the top of the ropeway at Zao Onsen.

There is a chalkboard for kids just outside the cafe entrance.

At the top of the ropeway- there is a swing set here too!

Then, take the chairlift down a little bit – for lunch!

Sangoro is the most adorable lodge style restaurant. I would describe the cuisine as retro Americana -but they also have donburi and Japanese curry. They also offer an all-you-can-drink refillable soft drink too! I recommend budgeting approximately 2500 yen per adult to dine here (if you haven’t taken advantage of the set ticket that is). See the full Sangoro menu and prices here. There even are a couple of vegan options !
They accept most major credit cards. Unfortunately they do allow smoking. in some sections of this restaurant so please be sure to ask to be seated far away from smokers.
I believe this restaurant will also be a hit with teens as there is a pool table and a wooden chess set here.

This is the type of high chairs they have at Sangoro.

The sizzling steak plate at Sangoro. Note the pool table in the back.

The steak plate at Sangoro – includes rice and soup and salad.

I forgot to take a pic before we deep dove into the lasagne at Sangoro.

Grilled soy meat and sumer vegetables. At Sangoro.

The playground just outside the entrance to Sangoro restaurant.

The playground just outside the doorway to Sangoro.

SANGORO, ZAO ONSEN
OPEN 10AM-4PM

WHILE IN ZAO ONSEN, BE SURE TO ASK IF THE MARKETS ARE ON!
You can try some local produce and cooked goods as well as buy the work of local creatives. Some of the stalls even have options for kids to create their own art or jewellery ! Be sure to bring cash.

These are the perfect, perfect Japan souvenir! These are made by Little Treasures. Link to IG account here.

Little Treasures is a stall at the market run by Nikki

WHERE TO EAT IN ZAO ONSEN WITH KIDS
No 1. We loved Sangoro (details above)

Kiraku Sushi
This is an adorable sushi place run by the cutest older couple. You can dine in or takeaway.
I recommend budgeting 2000 yen per adult or more like 3000 yen at dinner time.
The non-sushi options here include grilled fish, edamame, karakarashiru (miso soup with pork and root vegetables), grilled stuffed squid and a mountain vegetable hot pot (the hot pot is designed to be shared.)
This is also a wonderful place for the grownups to try some hot or cold sake or a lemon sour ( or other flavours! Try the “suika sour,” if you can. Suika = watermelon.)

Isn’t this just the best countryside Japan sushi restaurant vibes ever?

The drinks menu on the wall at Kiraku Sushi.

Kiraku Sushi, Zao Onsen. This is the assorted sushi of the day (aka, the “moriawase”)

KIRAKU SUSHI
山形市蔵王温泉954-7
954-7 ZAO ONSEN, YAMAGATA
OPEN 11:30AM-2PM & 5PM-11:30PM
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS

I love this photo. I took it just down the hill from Kiraku Sushi.
This is Lake Sakazukiko- a lake formed as a result of volcanic activity.

A few mins drive out of the Zao Onsen area is a giant red tori gate. And just next to the gate is the Zao Brewery. The brewery is light and bright and family friendly. The entire venue is non-smoking. The menu includes several different pizza options as well as cheese and meat plates or appetizers such as nuts and pickled vegetables. Pizza choices include: Margherita, Marinara, Four Cheese, Local Mushrooms and Truffle Sauce, Mayo & Corn.
I recommend budgeting for 2000 yen per adult to dine here. Zao Brewery have a kids menu. They accept most major credit cards.

ZAO BREWERY & CRANG DINING
山形市蔵王上野南坂1096-18
1096-18 UENO-MINAMIZAKA, ZAO, YAMAGATA
OPEN 10:30AM-4:30PM (UNTIL 5PM ON WEEKENDS)
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS

MEETING JAPANESE SEROW (KAMOSHIKA)
We saw these wandering around a lot near our hotel in Zao Onsen and I couldn’t stop laughing because I couldn’t work out what it was! At first I was like “a deer!” … wait.. “a goat?” and then I was convinced it was a wild boar (as I’d seen lots of these when I lived in Kobe.)
Turns out it’s a Japanese serow.